Fresh from the feast that was a historic and spectacular weekend of hurling, the nation was treated to the perfect dessert today as RTE broadcast 'The Game', a magnificent hurling documentary tracing the game's history and contextualising its significance in Irish society.
The first episode of the new series aired tonight and ultimately operated as a grand celebration of all that is hurling. Through various legends and experts of the game, the documentary sought to contextualize the impact of the sport culturally, historically and socially.
It proved immensely popular, with deserving praise forthcoming for the show's creators.
The @_THEGAME_RTE1 is beautifully shot and cut together. Really enjoyed the history segment there 👏👏
— Shane Stapleton (@ShaneSaint) July 30, 2018
"He hurled all before him" says the master O'Grady on #TheGame. Magnificent description
— Gary Murphy (@GaryMurphyDCU) July 30, 2018
RTÉ could have given us poor Cork folk at least 24 more hours before broadcasting this emotional rollercoaster... #TheGame
— Peter McNamara (@PeterMcNamara_) July 30, 2018
What a line from Sambo - "the lads you play with in the county team you make friends and get invited to their weddings - but the lads you play with in your club are the lads that will shoulder you to your grave - friends for life " #TheGame
— Mortimer Murphy (@MortimerMurphy1) July 30, 2018
#thegame is a masterpiece of video editing, and post production sound. Fantastic stuff on @RTEOne now.
— Andy May (@andymay77) July 30, 2018
If you're not watching #TheGame on @RTEOne now then do yourself a favour & tune in. Beautifully shot, with powerful images & sound plus insightful & original interviews. If you love our national sports then this is magic. Lovely job @gerrytweets @_THEGAME_RTE1 @CTLFilms
— Niamh Fitzpatrick (@NFitzPsychology) July 30, 2018
#TheGame is bloody fantastic, and it’s the biggest testament to making telly that looks as good as it is interesting. It’s elevated above everything else.
— Kevin Kelly (@kevindublin) July 30, 2018
Is it weird to get an erection watching a documentary? #TheGame asking for a friend.... #hurling
— The 2 Johnnies (@the2johnnies) July 30, 2018
The balance between archival footage, interviews and day-t0-day Gaelic athletic association activities was precisely right. It was said in the aftermath of the Mick O'Dwyer documentary and reinforced tonight, this type of series is exactly what the sporting public desire from its national broadcaster and they duly delivered.
